November... What?!?! Really??

What it's November? Really?? How the hell is it almost December?? How is it almost 2013?? WTF??

End of the year is always really hectic! This year has been a whirlwind...

October 14th 2012 - Billy turned 9! He's such a little man I can't believe it.. I took a bunch of his friends to Luna Park for a fun day. I also made my first attempt at decorating a cake for him. I made a jersey shape and covered it with yellow butter cream icing, cause that is the colour of his soccer club.

  




October 26th 2012 - Jorge had his operation to add his grommets and removal his agnoids. All went well. Was a very emotional day though.. I'm so thankful my husband was there too. I couldn't have done it alone.. Tas went into the operating theatre with him, and was with him until he was put to sleep. I would have cried hysterically I think, so it would have just upset him.

 

November 2nd 2012 - Jorgie turned 7! I didn't organise him a party for his birthday because I wasn't sure if he'd be OK after his operation. I wasn't sure how long he'd need to recover from surgery.
I made him a cake too.. Rectangle cake, with blue butter cream icing and yellow butter cream icing saying Toy Story. (it's his newest obsession)... again....

Oh Jorgie Porgie!

My 2nd son Jorge has always struggled with his schooling since he began in 2011. At first I was told half way through grade prep that he may need a second year of prep to catch up as he was very behind in his literacy skills. I worked with him, and he really did well and caught up with the rest of his peers. I was so impressed and happy with him.

Grade 1 (FEB), I'm told he is having issues with his concentration and he is a day dreamer and needs pushing as he was slipping back behind everyone again. 

Grade 1 (MAY), After speaking with his teacher she tells me he is WAY behind with his numeracy skills and it's really effecting his education. He can't keep up, and his concentration is at 0. 

This was heartbreaking, no parent wants to hear their child isn't close to perfect. We began a mission of catching him up again, and we are trying hard every night to do something mathematical. 

His literacy although isn't great, he is at a level where he is ok. So I haven't focused too much there, other than his nightly reader.

I decide to take Jorge to see our family GP, he checks his ears and says his opinion is that Jorge has "Glue Ears" so refers us to see a specialist. His hearing isn't where it should be which EXPLAINS A HELL OF A LOT!

Tas, Jorge and myself go to see Simon Purser who is a specialist of the ears. He tells us Jorge's ears definitely don't look normal so they give him a hearing test. It shows he is hearing at a 10 decibels less than he should be. 

So at this point, we are trying to avoid having to go through the route of surgery. He has to have demazin/dimetapp twice a day (one week on, one week off), I had to buy an OTOVENT for him to try to clear his nasal passages. He is also off diary (as it adds more mucus). We have another appointment 

on the 26th September, to see whether the Eustachian tube has cleared up or not. FINGERS CROSSED!!

This is the what OTOVENT does, and lets hope that surgery isn't going to be necessary. 

Camp! What! Already!

Well Billy is about to turn 9 and yesterday (August 8th) he went on his first school camp! What The?? Camp???!?! How did he get old enough? Where have all the years gone? I can't believe it..

He was so excited about going, and I really hope he is having the best time.. I'm sure I will har all about  it tomorrow when I pick him up from school.... I've missed him heaps but by no means was I willing to let him miss out on this experience.

He  is shown in these photos so happy to be going. He had a grin from ear to ear the whole morning...

Tas made time to leave from work to see him off also, which was great. I wasn't sure whether he'd make it but was very happy he did. Billy was too.

Mt. Evelyn Camp

We stuck around and waved him off right until the bus pulled away...

He is very missed around the house, though I can't say I'm missing the soccer training and karate training this week...

Laters, baby.

Fifty Shades of Grey Books!

I was shown these links to a hilarious review of these books.. The reviews are a must read!


Fifty Shades Of Grey

Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Freed

I think Katrina Lumsden is going to be on my favourites list... haha

This is it!

I know I've said this before but I'm already almost a week in and am still going...

I've begun rapid loss.. It's a shake instead of breakfast and lunch with 2 snack allowances.
for dinner hubby and I have begun lite n easy dinners.
So far the dinners have been nice. Only 1 of the meals out of 5, I won't order again. Which isn't bad..
My favourite so far is Baked chicken with mushroom sauce. It was really nice

Starting Weight: 106.6 kg
Current Weight: 106.6 kg
1st Goal Weight: 99. kg
Weight to Lose: 7.6 kg
Ultimate Goal Weight: 60. kg
Total Weight to Lose: 46.6 kg

Weigh In Day: Tuesday

Top TV Reality Shows!

My name is Leni and I'm a TV-a-holic!

My fav shows at the moment are:

Dance Moms - such a hilarious show. Abbey Lee Miller is the dance teacher who is all about winning. She is tough and butts heads with the mum's constantly. 

Pregnant In Heels - Rosie Pope is a maternity concierge, fashion designer and pregnancy guru. She guides expectant mothers through the joys and perils of preparing to have a baby. 

Tabatha Takes Over - Tabatha Coffey is a famous hair dresser who is hugely successful. She enters other salons and businesses who need help and turns them around. She's very honest and tells business owners what they need to do to make their business successful again..

                                   

                                                       

                                   

The Real Housewives of OC - Who doesn't love watching the rich act like school girls with their catty fights and plastic noses.... Well plastic everything...... My favourite is Gretchen Christine, she seems the most down to earth.. Tamra Barney, looks friggin awesome for her age. She's a bit of a cougar ho though.. :P Alexis Bellino, looks great with her new nose but the episode where she interviewed some people in regard to technology in the new generation of kids was hilarious.. She's has no idea about being a journalist but she was so impressed with herself. What a joke!

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - What a great bunch of women!
Adrienne Maloof - Great business woman, lovely husband and the amount of money this woman has is unbelievable. I would love to swap lives with Adrienne for a week. She's awesome!
Lisa Vanderpump - This woman is so graceful and elegant. I think she is so gorgeous for someone of her age. I wish I look half as good at her age! Her husband seems very eccentric though. Not into the dogs either... Sorry Jiggy...
Kyle Richards - She was my favourite and she'd probably be the one I'd get along with the most but she can be such a mean girl. Goes to show doesn't matter what your financial status is, get enough women in one area the cattiness comes out..
Kim Richards - OMG! She is such a dittz. I hope her entering rehab does her some good! When Brandi called her out for substance abuse someone should have listened...
Camille Grammer - I didn't like her at all in season 1 but in season 2 she was like a whole other person. The divorce with Fraiser must have agreed with her.. She seemed prettier, happier and more mentally stable.. Wish she was returning for season 3. :(
Taylor Armstrong - I've left her till last because I'm not a fan. I feel for her and her daughter for losing Russell, but that is all I can say in any way shape or form of positivity.
I think she's odd looking (but I'm no miss universe so I'll leave it there)... I was really turned off her when at the last reunion show which was filmed after Russell's death she still went on to say he physically abused her and pretty much slammed him as a person. How could you do that? He was your husband and the father of your child. Whether he did it or not, (I don't think he did) but he wasn't going to be there to defend himself. At least leave him to be able to rest in peace not have all this negativity towards him..

The Real Housewives of Miami - I haven't watched a lot of this one, but I did enjoy it. Except for Lea Black! Weirdo!! And Marysol and her mother.. OMG WTF happened to you two? I'm sure you were real at one point! WOW!

The Real Housewives of New Jersey - This show is explosive! Love it! I loved Teresa Guidice in season 1 & 2. In Season 3, it seemed like her fame got to her head a bit and she unfortunately turned on those who cared for her Jacqueline Laurita and Caroline Manzo. Season 3 introduced Kathy Wakile and Melissa Gorga, I do like these women but Melissa's husband and Teresa's brother Joe is a hero.
I don't think Melissa Gorga has the talent to be a pop star singer.. Sorry love, you ain't no Britney. Good on you for trying though!


Loser I know! But I love reality TV! Love it!

Lucky Jersey Shore isn't on air at the moment.. Love that show! My birthday was themed Jersey! Leopard Print was everywhere!!

50 Shades Of Grey

I was trying to avoid reading this book.. I wanted to refrain myself as so many women where going off their heads about it. Well a friend of mine, bought all three and once she had finished this one she brought it over and said you must read it. 

Well.... I thought it was good.. A lot of women have either LOVED it or HATED it. I don't by any means hate it but I didn't love it! 

Christian Grey is someone I wouldn't want my daughter to end up with, he is controlling, borderline abusive and a stalker... RED alarm signals flashing everywhere.. But in my imagination he is hot hot hot! 

Ana, is a dingbat. She sounds like she must be a hottie but she seems to know nothing about the real world and the way people work.

I'm reading the sequel now, so I will post about it once I'm done.

Till Then....

Laters, baby.

Yay for May!

What an awesome month! It's been so big for us!

May 3rd our princess turned 1!


May 5th - we had her christened and my brother in law Tommy became her godfather! It was such a special event and she looked gorgeous in her outfit! Absolutely gorgeous...

We have been in the midsts of moving office. So now which is so handy for me, our office has moved to my home office so everything is a lot easier for me having Adrianna at home with me. I won't have to worry about day care any time soon, and it is all so comfortable at home.

Modern Marble & Granite

We've been enjoying the soccer season heaps! Billy plays for Bundoora United and loves loves loves it!

Our team unfortunately hasn't won a game yet and we're going into round 6, but the kids have such a great time! 

Round 1 we played Diamond Valley United and lost 5 - 0 ! 

Round 2 we had a bye 

Round 3 we played Whittlesea Ranges and lost 3 - 0!

Round 4 we played Mitchell Rangers and lost 3 - 1! But our first goal was scored, so everyone was wrapped!! 

Round 5 we played Whittlesea Ranges again and lost 2 - 1! 

So as you can tell so far, each week we seem to be improving and the kids confidence in the game is so motivating. I love watching my boy playing each weekend... I love it! More importantly though, so does he!! 

Karate, he is also still loving being a part of. June 2nd he will be grading to move up to his blue bar belt! He's a bloody star!! 

Jorge began his soccer season for the small sided teams. It's also for Bundoora United but it is a Saturday morning and it is all friendly matches between the kids, and training. He's a little harder to keep focused but he's such a laugh to watch as he seems to fly off into his own world at any given moment. 

The Princess Turns 1....

Adrianna Nicole Katsanis has turned 1! 

How is it possible? How has this past year flown by so quickly? It feels like we've only just come home from the hospital..... Where has my baby gone?? I thought we'd go down memory lane and I've added in Adrianna's Birth Story..... 

My induction was booked for May 3rd 2011. Due to gestational diabetes and suspected pre eclampsia.

Tas and I got there at 7.30am. We were taken into our birthing suite and we were both so nervous, excited, anxious and all those emotions rolled into one. 

My waters were broken at 8am, and the drip was put into my hand.

I could breathe through the contractions easily for quite a while. At 9am I was considered to be in active labour.

We had trouble getting a good tracking on bub's heart rate so ended up with an internal one that attaches to their heads. Now I was able to leave the bed. I stood beside the bed leaning on it during contractions, with either my mum or Georgia behind me massaging my lower back. Tas was infront of me keeping my face washer wet and annoying me and trying to make jokes.. lol

I eventually tried using gas, that was ok. I think the wooziness between contractions made the time go quicker because before i knew it, i was back on the bed and the midwife (who was awesome) was setting up the necessary things for the birth.

The contractions ended up growing to a whole new intensity and the gas was no longer working, so i went without. They let me go with my body's urges so between breathing through them, screaming through them and pushing, she was on her way out..

OMFG! The pain of that! Unbelievable!!

I had mum on one side, Tas on the other urging me on.. You know the home and health channel on foxtel and you see those women screaming "I can't do this.. Wahh Wahh." Well that was definitely me! lol

Well at 12.57pm Adrianna Nicole came into the world and was whisked away from me the be worked on. They had called for emergency and all I remember hearing is "Code Blue, Resuscitation!" I had no idea what was going on. Tas was watching them crying, mum was too and no one knew what was happening. Adrianna wasn't making any noises at all. 

My sister who was know in the waiting room heard code blue room 7. She SHIT herself as no one would say anything about what was happening.

But..... All ended well... She was fine and rested upon my chest and all felt right!

Apparently, when she decided she was going to come out the cord was around her neck and before the midwife was able to remove it she came out to quickly and the cord apparently stunned her and that's why she was late to take that breath. That's what I understood from what I was told anyway. 

Adrianna was supposed to be at least 9lb from 34 week ultrasound and dr's observations well she was a petite 7lb 9oz, 51cm and head 34cm.

Her name wasn't decided till after she was born. Her middle name is the english translation of my mum's name Nicolina.

Now here we are 1 year later. She's a cheeky, funny little girl who has her brothers and her father twirled around her little itty bitty finger. 

She's so lovely!

Starting Again!

Okay, here we go again.. I am kick starting this lifestyle change again... I was watching Dr. Phil today Weight Wars & it got to me. I am wasting my life, and I'm sick of making excuses... So we're starting the journey all over again... I've got a lot of work to do!

There was a segment of two best friends who sabotage each others attempts at losing weight. The binge together, and look forward to getting together so they can eat and eat! This is my sister and I completely! I told her about it, and we both laughed because we already know this. We've also really pulled up with this terrible bad habit. We haven't had a real pig out session in such a long time. So we are both trying to improve ourselves. :D

I took Adrianna out today and we went for a walk. I have begun C25K. It's a running program which if followed will be you from Couch 2 5 Kilometres. Walking/running 3 times a week till get your fitness level up to running 5 kilometres at week 9. I don't care if I'm running marathons, though I do want to improve my fitness and hopefully have shed some bloody kilos!

Our Family Trip Away

We decided that we'd go away with my dad and his family, my sister and her family and my brother for a few days over the Easter break. We went to Lake Nilahcootie where my godparents have a huge amount of property and an empty farm house.

We brought up the bikes and the quad so the kids just went nuts and had so much room to play in.

We also visited a great friend who moved up to Mansfield in order to get her child into a school specifically for Autism and she is extremely happy with the decision she made. It was great to see her and the kids where all very happy to see each other.

We left Easter Monday and came home on Thursday. We could have stayed longer but it was Greek Easter and we all had to come home and prepare for it.

Tas took the kids to church Saturday night and brought home the holy flame to bless the house.

Kids go back to school Monday 16th... Yippee!!

Busy busy busy

So it's been a few weeks since my last post. Life has been so hectic as of late.

I've had to juggle work every day and the normal home activities for the last two weeks. I do need to acknowledge my mother in law, she has helped me so much during this time. I don't normally work every day but I've needed to and I couldn't have successfully run my business and looked after my family without her help!!

Also my friend lost her dad sadly and I wanted to be with her to spend some time, and that involved a 3 hour drive to get to her and then another 3 hours to get home. We do these things for our family and friends though, and the inconvenience of these things never enter your mind because you WANT to do it.

I've dropped the ball a bit with my weight loss as i've put on a 100g, but that's okay. It's going to happen every so often... As long as I get back to it, and keep moving forward.. My goal to lose as much as possible by May 5th is only 5 weeks away! :P

So forgive my absence, not that anyone reads this blog.. It's more just for me to reflect back on..

Paella - Spanish Rice

Traditionally it's made with seafood, but in order to make it a dish you can make within 30 minutes, I only add chorizo sausages and chicken mince.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400g chicken mince
• 2 chorizo sausages, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped (or can of diced tomatoes)
• 1 red capsicum, deseeded and sliced
• 1 zucchini, trimmed and sliced
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cups salt reduced chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup frozen baby peas

Method:

1. Heat oil in a large, heavy based saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until soft. Add mince and sausage. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes, capsicum and zucchini. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in rice and pour in stock. Add saffron and paprika and stir to combine. Bring to boil Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until stock is absorbed.
3. Remove from heat and stir in peas (and maybe add corn too). Cover and stand for 5 minutes. Season with pepper.

Enjoy!!

This dish is a huge success in this household!

Weighing In!

Once again it's weigh in day! I haven't been very strict and I need to get my motivation and determination.

Starting Weght: 112kgs

Weigh In as at 7/3/2012: 105.7kgs

Target Weight: 65kgs

Total Loss: 6.3 kgs

Weight To Go: 40.7 kgs

Adrianna's Christening

ADRIANNA NICOLE KATSANIS

We've began trying to organise Adrianna's christening and 1st birthday.. Already!!!

I can't believe how expensive everything is!! Unbelievable!! I've got a guest list of about 100 adults and then about 30 kids or so. I have definitely found finding a venue the hardest thing of all so far. Either function rooms are too much per head, or not big enough to fit my group into.

I've contacted the church and awaiting to see whether they have availability for May 5th.

I've found some spectacular dresses for her.. Kristina Gown this is my favourite. I also like Jenna and Jenna White.

Bonbonierre, I plan to go for something very different too the normal wog cross or frame.

White Gumball and personalised m & m's in it. We can get them with our own text on them and/or pictures.

Her cake is something else I need to organise.. I want double tiered, pink and pastels and really girly basically.

I've got to get things done! The more I look the more confused I get... I just want everything perfect!!

Weigh In!

Well my weigh in was good! 105.9kg so that's a loss of 400 grams. Considering I haven't been 100% dedicated this week, I'm ok with that! A loss is a loss!!

Dirt Bike Riding!

Well what a day we had yesterday... Such awesome fun!! We went dirt bike riding with the kids.. Finally Billy got to take his little Honda motor bike out for a proper trashing. We bought Jorge a little 110cc ATV and he loves it! Tas was also on his 125cc bike, and everyone had a ball! I was so proud of my boys. They really got into it and loved riding.. They also looked extra cute in their gear.. Loved it! Was a great family day.. I have my own helmet and gloves too and I had a ride on a 125cc bike too which was manual but it was the first time ever.. I almost went straight into the bike trailer and a ditch... Oooppps!

Look how cute they look... I love my boys. I'm such a proud mum!

Greek Lentil Soup otherwise known as Fakes!

I made Fakes (pronounced Fah - kes) for dinner tonight.. Tas doesn't like it so he went out and got himself food but the kids and I love it. It's very healthy and it's lovely.

1 1/4 cups brown lentils

3 cloves of garlic

1 brown onion, chopped finely

1 large carrot, chopped

1 litre water

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon rosemary

2 bay leaves

1 diced tomato or 1/2 can of diced tomatoes

red wine vinegar to taste (optional)

Pretty much add all this stuff into a saucepan (minus vinegar) and simmer for 40 - 50 minutes, or until lentils are soft. Stir occasionally..

Enjoy!! It's so yummy! Great source of iron!

Here's My Story........

Well where to begin!

When I first met Tas I was a size 6! :( (ohh those where the days... ) and you know what??? I thought I was fat.. I always had it in my head, suck your tummy in at all times, and I always kept myself covered.. There is no way in the summer I'd be in a bikini, well I was but covered with a singlet and shorts.. Oh if only I knew what I do today?!?!??!


Within the first year of being with Tas I hit an 8 and by graduation I was a healthy size 10. People told me I looked much healthier and looked good.


By our wedding day I just snuck into a 14. like literally I had to return my size 12 dress to get a 14. :( Almost died that day!


During my pregnancy with Billy I developed gestational diabetes and pre eclampsia so I blew out massively. I was 110kg the day I gave birth, my start weight was 84kgs.
After his birth I lost alot straight away, I dropped 20kgs within three months.. I had a lot of excess skin on my tummy though... :(


By the time I got pregnant to Jorge (2005) I was back to my pre pregnancy weight of 84kgs. Again, the day I gave birth I weighed in at 110kgs...


From then on and until I got pregnant with Adrianna in 2010, I had been floating between 85 - 96kgs.. When I did fall pregnant I was at 96kgs, so was starting my pregnancy 10kgs bigger than I had with the boys. I don't know exactly how big I got because once I hit 116kg (3rd trimester) I stopped weighing myself.


When I decided time to lose this weight and improve the quality of my life I weighed 112kgs. That was December 2011, and now Feb 21st 2012 I am currently weighing in at 106.3kgs....



Starting weight: 112kgs
Weight as at 21/2/11: 106.3kg
Target Weight: 65kgs
Total Loss: 5.7 kgs
Weight To Go: 41.3 kgs (OMG Suicidal)

Today I made some traditional Greek food for dinner.. Yemista, which is stuffed capsicums. Yum!

My family love this dish.. The kids usually scoop the stuffing out and eat that, but people who like capsicum eat the entire thing.. It's so yum!

INGREDIENTS:

· 6 Capsicums (or tomatoes)

· 750 grams minced meat

· 1 can tomato puree

· 1 1/2 cups rice

· 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

· 1 chopped onions

· 1 teaspoon chopped mint

· Cup of olive oil

· Salt and pepper

METHOD

· Wash vegetables

· Cut the tops off the capsicum (put aside) and take away the inside skin and seeds.

MAKE STUFFING

· Cook rice in absorption method and then set aside.

· Add oil to pan and fry onions until golden brown.

· Add minced meat, mix together and cook for about 10 minutes, or until meat is cooked.

· Add tomato and parsley, mint, salt and pepper, tomato puree and rice.

· Mix through thoroughly

· Oil a baking dish and place capsicum inside propping them up against each other so as not to fall.

· Stuff with mixture and then place tops on capsicums.

· Add a little water and olive oil, cover with foil and cook in a pre-heated oven on medium heat for about 50-60mins

Enjoy!